+1 for the scientific breakdown and well-reasoned arguments...
From the debunking: "The simple summary is this: that claim is a lie. There have been no clinical trials of dichloroacetate (DCA) in cancer patients, so there is no basis for claiming they have a cure; some, but not all, cancers might respond in promising ways to the drug, while others are likely to be resistant (cancer is not one disease!); and there are potential neurotoxic side effects, especially when used in conjunction with other chemotherapies."
> From the debunking: "The simple summary is this: that claim is a lie. There have been no clinical trials of dichloroacetate (DCA) in cancer patients"
It's worse than that -- after that was written, there WAS a clinical trial, and DCA not only didn't cure anyone, they got worse.
>> It's worse than that -- after that was written, there WAS a clinical trial, and DCA not only didn't cure anyone, they got worse.
None of those articles says anything about them getting worse because of the DCA.
> Cited in the new scientist article: The results, published last year in Science Translational Medicine, revealed that it probably extended the lives of four of the patients, while one other died.
> Cited in the wiki article: DCA was associated with tumor regression and had a good safety profile. DCA side effects were minimal.
> None of those articles says anything about them getting worse because of the DCA.
I just said "they got worse", which means the DCA was at best ineffective, as opposed to curing anyone. From the wiki:
"Of the five patients tested, one died after three months. The surviving four were followed for 15 months. Their Karnofsky scores were unchanged in two cases, and decreased by 10 points in two patients.[4]"
"The results, published last year in Science Translational Medicine, revealed that it probably extended the lives of four of the patients, while one other died. "
"In November, 2011, Viral Genetics announced that a patent under which it is exclusively licensed will be granted for using a compound known as DCA to treat cancer. DCA (dichloroacetic acid) has emerged as a compound that accelerates the destruction of tumors without the deleterious and debilitating side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiation. This is the first patent granted for the use of DCA to treat cancer, and represents a significant milestone in the Company's growth.
Since filing the application, other companies and research entities, both in the US and internationally, have also done much work to validate and unlock the value inherent in utilizing DCA as a therapeutic agent. Over the last four years, extensive validating research has been performed that documents DCA as a potentially powerful cancer treatment. Dr. Newell Rogers is one of the scientific pioneers suggesting that agents, including DCA, that disrupt tumor specific metabolic pathways, will have value as novel cancer drugs and, as such, she is the first researcher to have a patent granted on its use in the battle against cancer.
Viral Genetics has been strategically accumulating a significant and valuable portfolio of intellectual property rights around Dr. Newell's core metabolic disruption science. This patent, and many others that will be granted, are expected to continue to create value for the Company’s shareholders. In concert with our legal team, Viral Genetics is setting in place the licensing and revenue strategy for the Company from this IP portfolio."
"The experimental drug dichloroacetate (DCA), which inactivates PDHK, is being used in new clinical trials for cancer. Chen is collaborating with Haian Fu, professor of pharmacology and director of the Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, to find other, more potent inhibitors of PDHK."
Several years ago I talked to a cancer researcher who said if you can't cure cancer in mice, you're not competent. People are always finding new ways to cure cancer in mice.
15 comments
[ 4.9 ms ] story [ 51.4 ms ] thread+1 for the scientific breakdown and well-reasoned arguments...
From the debunking: "The simple summary is this: that claim is a lie. There have been no clinical trials of dichloroacetate (DCA) in cancer patients, so there is no basis for claiming they have a cure; some, but not all, cancers might respond in promising ways to the drug, while others are likely to be resistant (cancer is not one disease!); and there are potential neurotoxic side effects, especially when used in conjunction with other chemotherapies."
It's worse than that -- after that was written, there WAS a clinical trial, and DCA not only didn't cure anyone, they got worse.
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/05/...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichloroacetic_acid#Results_of_...
None of those articles says anything about them getting worse because of the DCA.
> Cited in the new scientist article: The results, published last year in Science Translational Medicine, revealed that it probably extended the lives of four of the patients, while one other died.
> Cited in the wiki article: DCA was associated with tumor regression and had a good safety profile. DCA side effects were minimal.
I just said "they got worse", which means the DCA was at best ineffective, as opposed to curing anyone. From the wiki:
"Of the five patients tested, one died after three months. The surviving four were followed for 15 months. Their Karnofsky scores were unchanged in two cases, and decreased by 10 points in two patients.[4]"
A decreased Karnofsky score is worse. 0% is dead.
"The results, published last year in Science Translational Medicine, revealed that it probably extended the lives of four of the patients, while one other died. "
original research: http://dca-information.pbworks.com/f/Metabolic%20Modulation%...
"DCA: A simple, unpatentable cancer treatment? (ualberta.ca"
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2549349
"In November, 2011, Viral Genetics announced that a patent under which it is exclusively licensed will be granted for using a compound known as DCA to treat cancer. DCA (dichloroacetic acid) has emerged as a compound that accelerates the destruction of tumors without the deleterious and debilitating side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiation. This is the first patent granted for the use of DCA to treat cancer, and represents a significant milestone in the Company's growth.
Since filing the application, other companies and research entities, both in the US and internationally, have also done much work to validate and unlock the value inherent in utilizing DCA as a therapeutic agent. Over the last four years, extensive validating research has been performed that documents DCA as a potentially powerful cancer treatment. Dr. Newell Rogers is one of the scientific pioneers suggesting that agents, including DCA, that disrupt tumor specific metabolic pathways, will have value as novel cancer drugs and, as such, she is the first researcher to have a patent granted on its use in the battle against cancer.
Viral Genetics has been strategically accumulating a significant and valuable portfolio of intellectual property rights around Dr. Newell's core metabolic disruption science. This patent, and many others that will be granted, are expected to continue to create value for the Company’s shareholders. In concert with our legal team, Viral Genetics is setting in place the licensing and revenue strategy for the Company from this IP portfolio."
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/66740/Viral+Genetics+Has+Mad...
"The experimental drug dichloroacetate (DCA), which inactivates PDHK, is being used in new clinical trials for cancer. Chen is collaborating with Haian Fu, professor of pharmacology and director of the Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, to find other, more potent inhibitors of PDHK."
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/eu-etf122211....
Disclaimer: I have no medical knowledge but this article saying they cured cancer in mice with 100% seems surreal.